Karen Gillespie, Deputy Manager at Beechwood Park Care Home is celebrating after winning the Palliative and End of Life Care Practise Award at the Scottish Care Home Awards.
The judges praised Karen for “demonstrating excellent care service delivery across the range of residents in Beechwood Park and her passion for supporting people at the end of their lives is equalled with the compassion she shows for both residents and their families.”
The award recognised Karen for her commitment to the development of staff undertaking and supporting individuals receiving palliative and end of life care (PEOLC).
The judges added, “Karen is conscious of the key role she and her colleagues play in ensuring PEOLC provides support and comfort to individuals at this stage in their care journey. She achieves this by ensuring she is up to date with best practice and sharing the learning with both colleague and relatives to achieve the best outcome possible.”
Karen is the home’s Palliative Care Ambassador and has used this role to help develop care planning for Beechwood Park, undertaking certified training with Macmillan and Marie Curie and developed sessions to share her learnings with staff in relation to practical support for residents.
Her commitment to this aspect of care has led to her also completing the Gold Standard Framework with Macmillan nurses at Strathcarron Hospice. In addition, Karen has recently undertaken a research project in conjunction with the Hospice. The study took place over a period of a year and its aim was to improve palliative care in care homes.
On receiving the award, Karen said, “To be nominated was such a privilege. To actually win was amazing. Being able to share my win with my son Ben made it even more special for me. He was thrilled that I’d won and immediately announced my win on his social media by saying he was a proud son.”
Karen was supported by her son and colleagues from our other homes, four of who were also up for awards and received a certificate for their achievements.
The prestigious black-tie event was held on Friday 18th November at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal before the awards presentation hosted by Michelle McManus and followed by a live band.
Beechwood Park Care Home provides nursing and dementia care on a permanent and short stay basis. If you are looking for a care home and want to find out more about our home call us on freephone 0808 223 5410
